Bescom launches WhatsApp numbers for grievance redressal during emergencies

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) has come up with 11 WhatsApp numbers in order to cater to its customers during emergencies. The move came after instructions from V Sunil Kumar, the Energy, Kannada and Culture Minister of Karnataka.

The instruction came in the wake of the electricity distribution company’s helpline number 1912 being flooded with calls during rains and other emergencies. On several occasions, the citizens complained that nobody responded to their calls.

The consumers can send a WhatsApp message regarding interruptions and power-related quarries in their region and will get a quick solution for the same. These WhatsApp helpline numbers will be functioning along with the exiting 1912 helpline number.

“For speedy and quick remedies for a power outage and power-related quarries of the consumers, the BESCOM has provided 11 WhatsApp helpline numbers to 8 districts of its jurisdiction. Since the existing helpline number of BESCOM 1912 has been flooded with calls during emergencies, the consumers have been unable to get connected to the 1912 helpline number. Considering the inconvenience faced by the consumers, the Energy, Kannada and Culture minister V. Sunil Kumar has instructed BESCOM to provide WhatsApp numbers to all 8 districts,” Bescom said in a release.

Consumers service executives at helpline centers will receive the WhatsApp messages and coordinate with BESCOM centers to resolve the power-related queries on a priority basis. This facility would help the consumers to get quick and hassle-free solutions for power-related issues, said BESCOM.

“In order to strengthen the helpline centres and bring better coordination between section offices and helpline centres, nodal officers have been deputed to helpline centres. Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) will work on a shift basis at the helpline centres. Their presence in the helpline centres would help bring better coordination between the centres and the section office to provide better service to the consumers,” a senior official from Bescom said.

Helpline numbers: Bengaluru Urban district: South circle: 8277884011; West circle: 8277884012; East circle:8277884013; North circle: 8277884014.
Kolar: 8277884015, Chikkaballapur: 8277884016, Bengaluru Rural: 8277884017, Ramanagara: 8277884018, Tumakuru: 8277884019, Chitradurga: 8277884020, and Davangere: 8277884021.